The personage of Esther Anna’s brother banged against the glass from the inside. He bared his teeth in a feeble attempt at being intimidating or ferocious. The look only made her laugh.
Oh, this is too much fun… She thought to herself as she watched him fight against the barrier, futile attempts to break free. His resilience was admirable, if not annoying to the princess. Still, she wondered what had the queen done to inspire such loyalty. A creature like himself wouldn’t generally retire himself into a recurring role of the beloved queen’s imaginary friend.
“You really think you’re winning, don’t you?” He growled.
“I don’t think, shape-shifter. I definitely am.” Noelle said, proudly.
He glared at her in disgust, fuelled by a hate that burned from deep within. He’d gotten close to the queen when he met her as a child by taking the form of her late brother. It was originally to help her, keep her calm and happy, as he was drawn to her infinite penchant for good. He wanted to watch her grow, as a supplement and surrogate to the brother she’d lost. He wanted to help her come into her full potential, but then…Noelle happened.
Noelle laughed at his predicament.
Adam hoped Esther Anna knew what she was doing. For the first time in twenty years, he was not beside her to help her in her time of need. She was a smart girl who was also resilient. Noelle’s only downfall would come from the queen, and he thrived in knowing that she was out there devising a plan to take her down. Adam wondered what her plan of action was, and secretly hoped that it didn’t involve returning to Dormality. However, resources and options were limited, and there was a chance the fairies would not assist her, so there was a high possibility that she would end up back in their home kingdom. The anger rose again, and he aggressively struck against the wall of his invisible prison.
He knew no matter how much he fought against the barriers, the only means of escape was if someone came to extract him. When would that be? Adam longed for it to be Esther Anna and any other cavalry she could provide, but then he feared that her presence here would mean by capture of the princess, or even worse…she’d be killed. Part of him wished there was a way to let her know that he was fine, a way to send a message to let her know not to worry about him. Most importantly, he didn’t want her to take the blame. This wasn’t her fault…it was his.
That night, after the commotion had started and the guards had been dispatched to find Esther Anna, he’d stayed behind and scoured the palace in case she was still inside. It was because of this folly that the princess sensed him here, and with the aid of her dark magic, she rid him of his spectral camouflage. Noelle captured him and forced him into the Mirror of Lies.
“You’re fascinating, you know that?” The princess grinned as she leaned into the mirror.
“How so?” He spat through gritted teeth. He desperately wished he could just reach out and rip out her face with his hands. Lately, his thoughts towards her had been more and more violent, as the confines of this prison cell was throwing him farther into a rage…and insanity. The Mirror of Lies combined with the sight of the evil princess inspired his inner savage, a part of him he had gone through a great deal to keep under wraps.
“You’re powerful. A creature with the ability to change into absolutely anything. I mean, anything! Yet you chose the form of a little lost girl’s dead brother. That’s a little macabre, not to mention depressing. There are other ways you could have ‘helped her’.” Noelle scoffed, “Were you going to turn into her dead mother if being Adam didn’t pan out?”
The man in the mirror listened to her questions, but he didn’t answer. He wasn’t obligated to offer an any. None of his reasoning mattered to anyone except Esther Anna. Noelle was completely oblivious of the concept of good. She was the exact opposite of the queen.
Her lip twitched as she stared at him, a true sign of a spoiled girl who was not used to being ignored or defied. Though, instead of getting angry, she just smiled, until finally bursting into a fit of laughter.
Adam narrowed his eyes. He was convinced she’d gone insane.
Silence. Noelle had stopped laughing almost as fast as she’d started, and the scowl that tainted her perfect features had returned. “I just realised I didn’t need to ask you anything. I let curiosity get the better of me. I mean, you’re my prisoner, and not even an interesting one for that matter. I don’t care why you did that, because that has no bearing on me. I do know that you are an important part of her life and if she’s truly as pure and kind as the book says she is? Well… If she knows you’re here, then there’s no way she’ll leave you here with me, to be tortured, or even die by my hands…She has first-hand knowledge of how adept I am at killing people…shape-shifters alike.” Noelle winked. “So, by all means, ‘Adam’. Silence is your virtue. Don’t say another word, because you don’t have to. Your voice doesn’t matter. Your presence does.”
Noelle giggled.
Adam loathed that smile, and the giggle made the bile rise in his throat. He felt sick. He hoped that someone would make a move against Noelle, and soon. She was gradually becoming unhinged, and a lot more unpredictable. He could feel the familiar tug take a hold of him as he sank back, deeper into the mirror. He resisted slightly, but the mirror would not take no for an answer. He was all alone within the reflective prison. He no longer had his beloved Esther Anna. Before long, the swirls of mist slowly appeared over the surface of the glass and he faded away.
Once the reflective surface cleared, Noelle caught sight of herself in it. I really am beautiful… She mused. It wasn’t a bad thing that she wanted to preserve herself, but the dark book was seen as an instrument of villainy. The princess chuckled at the hypocrisy of it all.
She was special.
No one could tell her otherwise
Present time. Fairy Kingdom of Fandrela.
* * *
Prince Phillip stared wide eyed at her as she relayed her story to him the next day. She’d pulled him into her room to give him the details. His eyes strayed to the necklace on her neck for a moment and he proudly commended himself for piecing it together. Esther Anna told him everything from beginning to end, and spared no details about the ritual the princess performed on the spectre’s body.
Apart from the blood spell that she performed, she also did soul transference? It was complex magic, carried out only by seasoned practitioners of the arts. The princess was so young to be attempting such a spell. He was astounded by the plan. The fact that she had singlehandedly wiped out her father’s kingdom and stolen his throne, as well as fallen into studies of the dark arts gave him a chill.
The queen seemed so down about it all. Prince Phillip wished he could provide more, or comfort her, but there was not much else he could do except support her by helping with the plans. They had gotten proof that the princess had Adam, and they knew he was alive, trapped inside of a mirror.
No one was safe.
This reinforced his decision.
“I had a feeling he was taken…I just hoped he’d gotten away. I wish he did. But now…” Esther Anna’s voice cracked, “…now, I don’t know what to think. What does she want with him? Oh Phillip, why couldn’t he have gotten away?”
Phillip stood up and walked over to her. He stood in front of the queen and wrapped his arms around her for comfort. She melted into his arms and sobbed quietly for a while. He was upset over it as well and had hoped they could save Adam. He knew for a fact if anything happened to him, the queen’s own light would dim. It would change her, and she would never be the same again. Phillip held her until she stopped crying.
“Thank you.” She sniffled as she wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, I wish you didn’t see me like this.”
Prince Phillip grabbed her by the shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Don’t apologise. Not to me because I understand how you feel. I’ve lost friends too. Not under the same circumstances, but I know what loss feels like and I understand how you feel. It’s okay.” As he spoke, the look on his face r
einforced his confidence.
For a moment, they stared into each other’s eyes.
“I swear to you,” Phillip was entranced by her gaze, “…nothing will happen to your friend. I swear to you on my honour as Prince and warrior of Fandrela. I will do whatever it takes to get him out safely. He and Anah will be just fine.” Phillip wasn’t sure if she truly believed him or if he even believed himself, but at that moment, those were the words the queen needed to hear. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone, and that he would do anything to help her. “You have my word.”
His eyes glanced down at her lips. They parted slightly and her eyes, still slightly wet from unshed tears shimmered slightly as she peered up at him, her gaze unwavering. He felt an inordinate pull towards her and knew for once that there was no fighting the urge. Phillip had fallen for her, and it was the first time he could freely admit it to himself. Her hands were clenched into fists but still none of them moved.
Then, inevitably, their faces began to move closer. He could hear his heart beating and hoped she couldn’t hear how nervous he was.
Esther Anna felt her face inching closer to his, longing for the feel of his lips on hers. They itched to taste him, have him hold her in a passionate embrace. Her eyes flickered to his lips too, then back to his eyes. Her heartbeat raced to match his as it quickened in the heat of the moment. This kiss, the declaration of their undeniable attraction had been a long time coming and she wanted it…but she knew the timing was wrong.
Timing was everything, so her father had taught her.
Prince Phillip leaned in gradually, his nerves screamed with happiness at what was about to happen, but then, at what seemed like the very last second, her eyes flickered away and she pulled back. He caught himself immediately and backed off, standing upright as he shook his head to clear it. What had just happened? He wondered. Was it something he did? He stole a glance at her but she’d retracted and didn’t dare to look at him.
Shame suddenly claimed him, a blanket of uncertainty and regret covered his shoulders as they slumped down. He should have known better, and he usually did, but he was temporarily blinded by his strong feelings for her. He was very aware of the memories she had of her time with the late Pierre LaChance and he knew he had been a very good man and husband. He should have let her grieve rather than try to make a move on her while she was vulnerable. Phillip never considered himself the type to be so bold and take a leap like this. His mind struggled for an explanation, but it returned to the sheer fact that he was insanely attracted to her. He was scared to use the word love, but in the back of his mind, he knew that he had fallen deep. Phillip hoped that she didn’t think any less of him for his ill-timed advances.
Esther Anna was obviously conflicted, and she wondered if she’d done the right thing. It was strange that she would find love so soon after the death of her late husband, a man she had been married to for more than three years.
Love, was that what this was?
She couldn’t tell for sure, but it was strong and even as she’d resisted, she was starting to question that decision, wondering if she should have just given in to the kiss. Prince Phillip cared about her and he was every girl’s ideal man. Noble, handsome, charming. However, King Pierre’s death had to be mourned. She owed him that at least.
He had helped Dormality in their time of need. He had been a good king to his people, a good husband and an amazing father. What happened to him was unfair and what she was about to do was equally unfair to him.
She felt hot tears welling up in her eyes and she wiped them away angrily, tired of crying, plus she didn’t want the prince to see the tears and get the wrong ideas.
“Are you okay?” He asked, softly.
Esther Anna refused to look at him still, but she nodded.
He was quiet for a while, and then she felt the bed move as his weight shifted from it as he stood up. Phillip walked to the door to leave, and her guilt took over. She felt terrible for everything. Something her told her to get up and go to him, but she remained adhered the bed, as if she’d were unable to move from where she sat. The prince opened the door, uttered something under his breath, and stepped out.
He was gone.
The room felt suddenly empty and she wished she had called him back. Esther Anna felt her heart break as she realised what he said before he left.
It sounded like: “I’m sorry.”
Esther Anna was in her room, running the plan through her mind, the plan to get the Lamp of Light. Some of the details weren’t finalized, but as long as they could obtain a boat, they would be halfway through the plan. The rest would work themselves out, or so Phillip had said.
Phillip. Her mind briefly drifted to the prince, but she dragged her thoughts back on track and realised that she didn’t have anything to pack. She’d been given new clothes by the fairies, but as not to seem greedy, she didn’t take too much. Even though they assured her it was okay, she politely refused. The shoes the fairies made were quite comfortable and durable, too. She’d only been given one pair of shoes, but she maintained them well.
She wondered about Dormality and her father, and how she needed to get to him. It wouldn’t happen without help. She wished there was a way to reach out to him, at least to let him know she was okay, but communications and pathways would surely be guarded by the princess or her allies. Esther Anna knew that once they left the safety of the Fandrela’s barriers, they would be hunted. She longed for the day when her name would be cleared and she could finally be free to walk amongst her people. Hopefully by then, Noelle’s plans would be overturned and she wouldn’t be a threat to her or any other people in the kingdom.
Then there was the matter of the woodsman. Esther Anna remembered the way he had looked at her, in that eerie way that made her feel sick. She never wanted to see him again.
A slight breeze picked up and her necklace began to glow, and almost instantly, Anah Carly appeared in front of her. This time, she’d expected her arrival, and wasn’t scared.
“My queen. You seem troubled…” The spectre inquired looking worried.
The queen managed a small smile in her direction, and she lightly shook her head to dismiss the observation. “I’m fine Anah, I’m fine. I’m just thinking.”
“What about, your highness?”
“The entire mission, Anah. All of it. We’re venturing out of the Fandrela in search of the Lamp of Light. It’s going to be perilous and I’m just worried we might not succeed. Is that bad?”
Anah Carly shook her head, and then she looked slightly confused. “Lamp of Light, your highness?”
“Lamp of Light. It’s an artefact we’re looking for that may help us clear my name and expose princess Noelle.” Esther Anna further explained its function, to which Anah nodded. Her glow, however, faded to a pale yellow. “Anah, is everything alright?”
Anah shook her head. There was a struggle there, with her body’s constant call and…perhaps something else. The constant struggle must have been taking its toll on her.
“Be strong, Anah. Prince Phillip and I will help you. Noelle will not succeed in taking over your body, I promise you that.” Esther Anna offered her words of faith in the girl’s strength, in hopes to boost her spirits. “Have you seen Adam? What has she done to him?”
“Adam is fine. She’s trapped him inside of something…a mirror… but from what I can tell, he’s unharmed.” Anah explained.
Esther nodded in relief, taking meagre consolation that at least the princess was not harming him. However, she was certain the princess held him hostage as some sort of lure or leverage against her. She knew Noelle would use that to her advantage. The queen wasn’t bothered by the obvious trap however. By the time they stormed the palace, they would have the Lamp of Light and the loyalty of the people behind them. If all went well, Noelle will have lost everything. The road to that goal was paved with a myriad of uncertainties, but it would all be well worth it in the end.
“If you plan on leaving Fan
drela, I have to warn you, your highness. The woodsman, Damien. He spoke of a tracking spell and boasted about its potency. It would seem the princess gave him access to your room and he was able to make a spell using some of your personal effects. If you come out of hiding, he will find you.”
Esther Anna needed to keep up with what she was learning about magic: Blood spells, tracking spells, soul transferring rituals… The obstacle of the woodsman awaited them, and she would have to inform the prince of him and the magical tracker.
As if on cue, she heard a knock and the prince’s voice came through the door to announce himself as her visitor. Esther Anna opened the door, thinking that Anah Carly would disappear as she did, but she remained in the room.
“Esther, I was just passing and I heard voices, is everyth…” Prince Phillip trailed off. His eyes opened wide as he stared at the glowing necklace around her neck. “She’s here?”
He can’t see her? Esther wondered. She watched as he entered the room and searched it, but he looked right past the apparition.
“Is she here? Right now?” The prince asked again.
Esther Anna nodded and pointed in Anah Carly’s direction. “Yes, she’s right there.”
“He can’t see me, your highness. Only you can, because of the necklace.”
“What did she have to say?” Prince Phillip asked, still a little sceptical of it all.
“The woodsman cast a tracking spell on me. The minute we step out of here, he will be able to find us…find me.” Her eyes were cast to the floor, a bit of defeat in her voice. Their chance of getting away were low.
The prince sighed. It was a strange twist, but he knew there was a way to work around it. “There’s still a chance. We can shield you from the spell, but it may not be as strong once we left the kingdom. It also depends on how strong his tracking spell is, but it would buy us enough time to escape.”
Magic and Shadows: A Collection of YA Fantasy and Paranormal Romances Page 105
